The General Workers’ Union (GWU) has expressed its disappointment and solidarity with teacher Stefan Vassallo following an incident involving parents who requested their child be moved to another class because the teacher is homosexual. The union praised the school head’s response to the situation, highlighting the importance of standing against such discriminatory behaviour.
“Despite Malta being among the first EU countries to introduce LGBTIQ+ rights and the
progress made in education, we are still witnessing situations like this,” the GWU stated.
“We see parents excluding their child from engaging with people who are different, fostering a stigma instead of acceptance.”
The union emphasized that discrimination or prejudice based on gender or sexual orientation is not only unethical but also illegal. It stressed that more needs to be done to address these issues and called for increased education on diversity, starting with children at a young age.
“Children must be taught about the diversity and complexity of the world around them, as well as the benefits of inclusion,” the GWU added. The incident serves as a reminder of the work still needed to build a truly inclusive society.
This case has reignited discussions on the importance of fostering acceptance and
understanding within the educational system, ensuring that future generations grow up with values rooted in equality and respect.
